What's Your Plan: Emergency Alerts for People with Disabilities

Here's social media at a new high - or low. I'm blogging a tweet from disability.gov that includes a pdf file with some recommendations for improving access to emergency alerts. This is just one area that needs attention and improvement. So here is the pdf file. Reading it will give you an idea of the magnitude of trying to improve the current system.

Recommendations: Access to Emergency Alerts for People with Disabilities http://bit.ly/dkO2xO

Yesterday as the tsunami warning sirens blared in Hawaii, I decided I was going to blog about Emergency Preparedness for the disability community.

Disability.gov has an entire page devoted to it. Please take a moment to go over and read what you as an individual can do to improve your preparedness in an emergency. For example, if you need to be contacted by authorities via a TTDY phone, let them know.

There are suggestions for organizations as well, ranging from the media to local rescue squads. I ask you to spread the word to those in such groups so they can join in as recommendations are made.

The gaps that remain may seem huge and, in some areas, they are. Our community is diverse and even those of us with disabilities, who are familiar with what we need, may not know what someone else requires. The needs of a wheelchair user who needs an accessible evacuation point, generally thought of as the only situation, falls far short of necessary planning. TV announcers in Hawaii pointed out that if someone can't hear the sirens, they are useless. What if someone had no transportation to an evacuation point? How about suddenly needing to bring along medication or equipment? Do you have a list of someone to call - or does someone realize you will need help?

People with disabilities who may be self sufficient on a daily basis may suddenly require more assistance during an emergency. All of us as neighbors, co-workers and friends, need to have these discussions before something happens, not during. Whether people have five hours warning- or less- things move quickly when emergencies occur. It's probably best to plan for someone to check in with you, just in case the particular emergency renders your equipment inoperable or blocks your access. Be open minded in your planning about accepting assistance. It's more of a help to rescuers for you not to become a last minute emergency than to worry about inconveniencing someone.

So please - today- not tomorrow- not next week or month, is a good time to consider what you would do in such a situation. Our system is still a work in progress.